UFC Hopes to Have Another Show in Montreal Later this Year

The UFC is looking to make a return to Canada later this year.

"I literally just left a meeting where we were talking about that," UFC president Dana White told The Canadian Press on Tuesday. "We're looking to come back to Montreal."

White said the mixed martial arts organization hopes to return in November or December.

The UFC made its Canadian debut April 19, drawing a loud and proud crowd of 21,390 at the Bell Centre to see Montreal's Georges St. Pierre reclaim his welterweight title from Matt Serra. The Canadian card was the UFC's biggest ever in terms of attendance, its fastest ever sellout, and produced a gate of some $5 million.

Should St. Pierre dispose of top contender Jon Fitch in Minneapolis at UFC 87 on Saturday night, the stage could be set for a super-fight in Montreal later this year between the Canadian star and lightweight champion B.J. Penn. The Hawaiian fighter has long expressed a desire to return to the 170-pound ranks from 155 pounds to have another crack at St. Pierre, who won a split decision when the two welterweights met at UFC 58 in March 2006 in Las Vegas.

The UFC currently has shows booked through late October, including UFC 88 in Atlanta on Sept. 6, UFC 89 in Birmingham, England, on Oct. 18 and UFC 90 in Chicago on Oct. 25.

White made no mention of who might highlight the next Canadian card but acknowledged that Penn will be watching Saturday's title fight in Minneapolis closely.

"Obviously B.J. is pulling for GSP because he wants to fight him," he said.

The UFC had hoped that Penn would remain at 155 pounds to defend his title against the winner of Saturday's fight between lightweight contenders Kenny Florian and Roger Huerta. But White said he is unsure of Penn's plans.

"We know that B.J. wants to fight GSP again, especially if GSP wins. But no, we don't know."

Source: Canadian Press